Am I less of a fan because..

[IMind]

Someplace in a dusty file or an old computer tape archived in a salt mine are the six credits I got at UConn while in High School... strictly speaking based on Websters that makes me an alum...

It's all BS... if UConn (or any big time athletic department) relied only on Alumni to make up their fan base they'd all go broke.

 

[Doheny]

Fan is short for fanatic - a person marked or motivated by an extreme unreasonable enthusiasm.

Neither I nor my three sons attended UConn, but we BELIEVE in UConn basketball. We are fans.

Note that unreasonable goes along with being on the Boneyard.

 

[Chuck]

A fan is a fan. I didn't play for the Yankees, but I'm more of a fan than some of their "alums" (except for George Costanza).

The only time I've ever differentiated between alum and non-alum is when I see a fan(s) that I'm embarrassed to be associated with. Then I'm just hoping they're also not tainting my alma mater as a graduate. I think the alum/non-alum divide is bigger at schools that have a big difference in alums vs. fans. Notre Dame, Duke, even a Michigan, have some Neanderthal fans that probably embarrass alums (especially snooty Duke grads which I know a number of).

The strongest programs have loads on non-alum fans. I don't live in Connecticut so I watch on tv or go to games when UConn is in NY or NJ. The more fans in and out of CT, the stronger the program... In my opinion.

 

[NC_Uconn_Fan]

I went to CCSU but always was a fan of Uconn, even when Uconn plays CCSU I root for Uconn. I am also a ND football fan because my Dad was. I never went to ND or even seen a game there, but I am still a fan.

 

[3rdbass]

I'm an Alum and CT native and I see my brother who is only a CT Native as just a big fan as I. Well I might be a little bit more a fanatic as I live on the BY for UCONN News. LOL! We both have been to 4 of the 5 UCONN Final Fours(Just missed the first one) and live and die Husky Blue. I don't think it really matters even if you live out of state and follow them avidly.

 

[uconnell]

Not at all. The only thing I would say, however, is fans of sports teams that have no connection to the school generally care less about anything OTHER than the sports teams. Alum, on the other hand, care about the impact athletics has on the school at large.

Doesn't make the fandom any different, but it makes for different perspectives on economics, conference, etc.

.

I am not a grad of UCONN but believe me I worry about all of the above.

 

[AZHuskiePop]

I've been a Huskie fan for 60 years,ever since I discovered them on the radio as a young boy.
I visited Storrs in the late fifities as my cousin briefly played football there.
That was before 91 and 84 ,it was a couple of hour ride from the lower valley.
Using the old Berlin Tpke to Hartford and country rds to Storrs.
I knew I wanted to go there. It may have been the ice cream.
however Circumstances did not permit my dream to be fulfilled ,as going away to college was not an option. How AZ went to college is a book by itself.
I did latter graduate from a Materials Management training program
offered by UConn ,I still have the certificate.
I don't feel any less a fan , in some ways the intensity of my commitment is well beyond that of the typical alumi.
UConn,basketball in particular has a huge following in the state, even though their alumi base is smaller than many of the larger states.
It not if you attended or not that makes you more or less of a fan it's the amount loyality and concern you have during success or failure.

 

[ConnHuskBask]

Alum here.

A fan is a fan regardless of the connection. Alumni, resident of CT, family connection, whatever.

The alums will obviously have a closer connection to the school as a whole, but the sports teams? Doesn't matter.

Though, I'm sure there are some die hard real fans in the state, but if you grew up in CT rooting for Cuse, BC or the Cowboys etc with no tie whatsoever, I have to question you.

 

[Huskybass]

If you are real happy after a big win, you're a fan.

If you feel like you just ran over your own dog after a loss, you're a fan.

I am an alum, but its all about how much you care about the team that counts.

 

[CTPride]

Grew up in CT but now living in TX. Im not a Uconn Alum and I actually have not yet been able to even attend a Uconn sporting event (hope to change that soon when we play SMU in Dallas) But I still eat, sleep, and breath Uconn. Its all we have in our little state, the pride and joy of Connecticut.

 

[CL82]

I never played for the Red Sox and have not ownership in them, yet I consider myself to be a fan since I care, probably too much, about their successes and failures. Same goes for college sports.

Not if you want the definition of "less of a fan" just look here.

 

[huskiesNhoos]

I grew up in CT but barely even went on campus ever except for soccer camp. I only consider myself a fan of men's bball and soccer (which I don't follow much now that my former coach isn't an assistant coach there any more).

Everyone knows not to disturb me during a uconn bball game and most would assume I went to scool there so I think it's safe to call that being a fan. When asked who I would root for if uconn and uva played in the elite 8 I answered uconn with no hesitation. I'll take uva in everything else but uconn bball trumps all (especially my other soon to be Alma mater...nc state...barf)

 

[Vuce]

The way I look at it - a fan is a fan - the more the merrier. My experience was definitely enhanced though when I was a student. It's like being a fan of the Yankees, Sox, Giants, Pats, etc except you get to hang with the team in their facilities. To be a student on campus during a great season is impossible to explain - BUT it does not diminish the joy and excitement non students or alums can derive from the success of the programs. Some of the biggest fan I know are not alums. If you bleed blue you are a Husky!

 

[ctchamps]

I'm not a Uconn Alumn. When others cheer for their alma mater I cheer simply because I lived in Ct. And have been a fan over 25 years. I kind of feel as though I am less of a fan or not deserving as much when their is success because its really not "my school"

Forget about the address of your residence or your academic history. You are a member of the Boneyard and root for at least one of UConn's teams.
And it doesn't appear your fandom has been questioned by Boneyarders unless you have other aliases such as WeAreUConn, william shea, HuskiesAllDay and a few others that a significant number of Boneyarders categorize as trolls.
That makes you a card carrying fan!

However I have to wonder about your name. You can't be all that smart asking for advice from this group. Not even about pizza.

 

[Calhoun's Court]

I didn't attend UCONN -graduated from Central. But have been a UCONN fan for over 40 years (season ticketholder for last 34 years).

Was one of only a couple guys on the CCSU(technically it was still CCSC in 1980) campus I know of that were actually cheering for UCONN when UCONN/CCSU first met in 1980.

IMO you are not any less of a fan if you didn't graduate from the school you root for.

 

[Tommyboy]

I'm an alum too, and your fan-hood isn't determined by the fact that you either went to the school or didn't. If you bleed blue and white, that's all that matters.

Exactly. We even had a guy on my floor at UConn that rooted for Georgetown. Now that was pathetic.

 

[ekiemeno]

I bleed blue. I'm an emotional wreck after stupid losses and feel like the hulk after the team beats anyone (including teams like Bryant). I have never lived in Connecticut and obviously never attended UConn. Born and raised in North Carolina and graduated from NC State spring 2014. I picked UConn as a team to follow the age they allow you to start playing community basketball and never looked back. I hate having to explain to people why I like UConn since it's foreign to do so here with all the UNC, Duke, and NC State fans around. I don't get upset though when I feel people look at me weird. lol I'm use to it.

 

[UConn9604]

Imagine if Notre Dame's fan-dom was limited only to Notre Dame alumni. Then realize that our basketball program (both, actually) is better than their football program. This is not a problem at all.

Conversely, those of us who went to UConn can recall dozens of students who just didn't care about athletics at all. If that's their right, you certainly have the right to jump onboard without having graduated from UConn.

 

[mauconnfan]

I went to CCSU but always was a fan of Uconn, even when Uconn plays CCSU I root for Uconn. I am also a ND football fan because my Dad was. I never went to ND or even seen a game there, but I am still a fan.

I am also an ND football fan due to dad, he was a die hard. Funny thing is the first game I went to ever at South Bend (only game) was UConn a few years ago and I found out my Husky National Flag Blue blood is thicker than my green Irish blood. I wasn't sure as I was heading out there quite honestly!

 

[huskiesnyc]

I'm not a Uconn Alumn. When others cheer for their alma mater I cheer simply because I lived in Ct. And have been a fan over 25 years. I kind of feel as though I am less of a fan or not deserving as much when their is success because its really not "my school"

Does your mood sour when the random thought of UConn being in the AAC pops into your head? IF the answer is yes, you are equally as deserving of UConn fandom.

 

[Huskies4ever]

I went to CCSU but always was a fan of Uconn, even when Uconn plays CCSU I root for Uconn. I am also a ND football fan because my Dad was. I never went to ND or even seen a game there, but I am still a fan.

Same here. I lived on campus, and was a sophomore in 1999. I was watching the championship game with my college buds, who thought I was nuts (even a traitor) that I would root for UConn over CCSU.

 

[joober jones]

I'm not a Uconn Alumn. When others cheer for their alma mater I cheer simply because I lived in Ct. And have been a fan over 25 years. I kind of feel as though I am less of a fan or not deserving as much when their is success because its really not "my school"

Not in my book. I'm not even originally from this country, much less a UConn alumnus and I feel I'm as legitimate of a fan as someone who went there. I've probably spent more time on the UConn campus than some students.

 

[zls44]

Just so you know I view all of you with equal disdain, be they alum or not.

 

[White Dwarf]

I didn't go to UCONN, but I have paid the state of CT enough in taxes to be a fan. I went to a lot of parties on campus as well.

 

[David 76]

Doesn't matter. Caring about the team is all that matter for being a fan. Caring about the University is a plus.
That said, I'm proud to be an alum. It gives me added satisfaction. And I graduated when Connecticut was still a colony!

 

[JellyBean]

I'm not a Uconn Alumn. When others cheer for their alma mater I cheer simply because I lived in Ct. And have been a fan over 25 years. I kind of feel as though I am less of a fan or not deserving as much when their is success because its really not "my school"

Whoa. Don't sell yourself short, my friend. If you have been a fan for 25 years and held on through the lean years as well as the good years, you are just as deserving of being a fan as anyone else. To me it doesn't matter if you are an alumni or not. If you are a fan, you are a fan.

 

[Fishy]

I'm not a Uconn Alumn. When others cheer for their alma mater I cheer simply because I lived in Ct. And have been a fan over 25 years. I kind of feel as though I am less of a fan or not deserving as much when their is success because its really not "my school"

Here you go.

I trust this will eliminate whatever self-doubt you might harbor. Please note that while the official seal might look like a happy face someone drew with a crayon, it is totally an official seal.

 

[ffg53]

I'm kind of a Temple alum. (Tyler School of Art) but I'm UConn fan. The way I look at it is Connecticut is my home. Temple is the university that made my school affordable while I lived in Philadelphia. I do root for Temple against any other school, though. It's the least I can do. ;-)

 

[8893]

Doesn't matter. Caring about the team is all that matter for being a fan. Caring about the University is a plus.
That said, I'm proud to be an alum. It gives me added satisfaction. And I graduated when Connecticut was still a colony!

Well put. I think that's exactly the difference: fans care about the team; alumni are much more likely to care about the University. Doesn't make us any better fans, but we might feel a little more ownership of the enterprise.

Also proud to be an alum--twice.

Hoping to be an alum parent at least once, too.

 

[NC_Uconn_Fan]

Same here. I lived on campus, and was a sophomore in 1999. I was watching the championship game with my college buds, who thought I was nuts (even a traitor) that I would root for UConn over CCSU.

I was there in the late 90's as well, lived on campus my first 2 years. Seemed like a lot of my friends on my floor were from upstate NY and Cuse fans. To be honest, I was more interested in watching the CCSU girls volleyball than the basketball team.